After weeks of hard work and tough competition, the top 25 teams—now called the ‘Giga 25’ – are getting ready to present their minimum viable product at this season’s Innovation Generation (InnoGen) ‘Demo Day’. These standout groups were chosen from 96 original teams in the PLDT Group’s innovation and grant program.
InnoGen Season 4, run in partnership with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), is all about creating tech solutions to help persons with disabilities live more independently. “This season’s theme ‘Innovation for All’ challenges young tech mavericks to build tools that make a difference,” said Stephanie Orlino of PLDT and Smart.
“With the innovations and ideas of students—empowered by the support of PLDT and Smart—persons with disabilities stand to benefit greatly from emerging technologies and AI,” said Glenda D. Relova, Executive Director, NCDA. “We look forward to seeing the transformative solutions they will create. Inclusion begins with ‘I,’ and at its heart is ‘US.’ Together, as a nation, we can build a truly inclusive future.”
The Giga 25 have spent the last phase learning how to turn their ideas into working prototypes. They have also explored design, user experience, and even how to build a business around their solutions. Along the way they have also been guided by mentors from the tech industry and supported with funding and connectivity from PLDT and Smart.
This season’s teams come from all over the Philippines—20 from colleges and 5 from senior high schools.
Collegiate teams
National Capital Region
• RevoTech (Jose Rizal University)
• StaFit (Jose Rizal University)
• m•22 (Mapua University)
• Team ODI (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila)
North and Central Luzon:
• Palabra (Mariano Marcos State University)
• Apcas Tech – Alpha (Asia Pacific College of Advanced Studies)
• EM-Power Rangers (Angeles University Foundation)
• ICTDU Dragons T1 (Systems Plus College Foundation)
• PENTAVALENT (Bulacan State University)
• techNerds (Pampanga State Agricultural University)
South Luzon and Bicol:
• konek.dev (University of the Philippines - Los Baños)
• SpeechPal (First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities/FAITH COLLEGES)
• Team Abot-Kamay (Batangas State University)
• Team Cort-X (Bicol University – Polangui)
Central Visayas:
• Innovare (University of San Carlos)
• Team E.M.M.A. (University of San Jose-Recoletos)
• Unique (University of San Jose-Recoletos)
• TrackSense (University of Cebu – Main)
Davao Region and SOCCSKASARGEN:
• JEEPNIGO (Davao Central College)
• ClearPath Collective (Mindanao State University-General Santos City)
Senior High School teams
• SIGLAKAD (Philippine Science High School – Central Luzon, Pampanga)
• HearMate (The Mabini Academy, Batangas)
• InnoVision (Jose Rizal University, Mandaluyong)
• Deafy (Kapalong National High School, Davao Del Norte)
• BREAD – Broadening Research for Everyone in Active Discourse (Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus, Leyte)
On Demo Day, each team will present their prototype and compete for the top three spots in their division. Winners will receive additional funding to further develop their proposed solutions.
InnoGen highlights PLDT and Smart’s commitment to meaningful innovation, and advances the PLDT Group’s contribution to the country’s pursuit of UNSDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities.
